BUDGET MAKER 2011-2012

This is your chance to set priorities and tell Essex County Council how to keep its spending
beneath the limit set by lower government grant and a council tax freeze.
The starting position assumes no change in the level of service in 2010-2011.
This would require a council tax increase of 14.1%, which is impossible because of the freeze.
Budget Maker will tell you when your package of changes is affordable.

ChosenIncrease/Decrease %

Actual2010/11 £m

Chosen2011/12£m

Satisfed customers

2.7

Greater community engagement

32.1

Supporting charities & volunteers

6.2

Stronger Essex communities

14.0

A higher-skilled population

32.7

Schools

961.4

A healthier Essex

19.3

An Olympic legacy

0.8

Early help for vulnerable people

59.7

Vulnerable young people

124.3

Residents can choose care services

470.5

Older people in communities

41.0

Transport congestion reduced

20.5

Transport infrastructure improved

85.2

Globalised local economy

7.7

Tourism

3.6

Essex championed

9.0

Cleaner, greener Essex

1.1

Reduced carbon footprint

11.4

Less landfill & increased recycling

52.4

Safer communities

49.3

Other

175.0

Total

2179.9

Results

Change in Government Grant

Change in Council Tax

Is this affordable?

Essex County Council aims to make over £300m of efficiency savings by 2013. This is very ambitious but we have already saved about £60m. We are now transforming the Council in these ways:

Buying better – to save £150m

Working with partners – to save £25m

Sharing and trading services – to save £10m

Working smarter – to save £85m

Thinking ahead on IT etc – to save £40m

We will deliver these savings. But we still need to know what your spending priorities are.